Below is a bunch of bullshit made up by me, please disregard everything I said.

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This is a remake of the previous thread, and yes I have received approval. A mod is keeping an eye on this thread, and if it does not get anywhere in the next few days it will be moved or locked.________________________________________________

There's nothing embarrassing about a mental disorder, so please don't panic. It's not some incurable disease. So don’t get offended, and don’t get offensive. People allover the world have different types of mental disorders to this day, and are functioning fine. Some mental disorders even associate with creativity!

One thing to clarify: This is not discussing the 'validity' of any religion. It is already clear that there is -no- point in debating on religion, as it is analogous to the futility of discussing the existence of flying pigs. We already know religion is utter nonsense, and that is the starting point of this discussion. Please ignore the religious posters that retaliate to this thread (which may likely overwhelm in percentage), and just imagine them to be little insects flying around. DO NOT RESPOND.

What some people see as stubborn prejudice may in fact be the result of a mental disorder, and not the person’s free-will or autonomy at fault. Who said religion causes war? Look deeper. Religion doesn’t cause war, religion causes conflict. An inevitable conflict in beliefs, contradictory to open-mindedness. This mental disorder epidemic has been killing the element of empathy in people for centuries, and it’s about time that we pinpoint this problem,one person at a time.

Mental illness:Any of various conditions characterized by impairment of an individual's normal cognitive, emotional, or behavioral functioning, and caused by social, psychological, biochemical, genetic, or other factors.

Religion:firm belief in, worship of, or obedience to a supernatural power or powers considered to be divine or to have control of human destiny

^In other words, theistic beliefs and worship. The reason I’m not using fundamentalism for my definitions is to prevent people from simply avoiding the label of fundamentalism. Do not try to avoid this label; you know who you are.

List of some religions included in this category (incomplete):

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- Christianity
- Catholicism
- Orthodox
- Protestantism
- Anglicanism

Symptoms of being religious (incomplete):

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- Questioning other people why they don't believe in God
- Partaking in arguments in attempt to prove God
- Praying to God
- Thanking God for blessings, or blaming God for misfortunes

Note 1: I am aware that "mental disorders" are subjective depending on perspective of normality. I’m speaking from a scientific perspective; however I’m still very aware that from the religious majority it would not labelled a mental disorder. It’s the same as how Santa Claus is very real for a group of 5 year-olds, however when a couple of adults step in the “perspective of normality” changes, and Santa Claus is in fact, very unreal. Like I previously stated, whether God exists or does not exist is irrelevant.

Note 2: Of course, this is merely a generalisation. There are always going to be exceptions, for example I am not including Shintoism in this claim. In fact, feel free to substitute the word “religion” with “Christianity” for this entire post, as the point being conveyed will still essentially be the same. However understand that I am not trying to discriminate Christianity, I’m only suggesting this to encourage a smooth interpretation of my post.

What causes the implant of religion into the human brain? Generally religion is a result of nurture from parenting and surrounding culture. It’s primarily a result of "where you were raised", and of course, if a modern day Christian were instead brought up in India, the likelihood of converting to Christianity after adulthood would be extremely unlikely.

Piaget's stages of normal cognitive development:

Egocentricism: The mentality in which the individual can only consider things from his own perspective, characterized by lack of awareness that people’s opinions differ from his own. (Do you remember when you had this mentality too? Try reminiscing.)

Preoperational stage (2-7):

The stage of curiosity and gullibility. Children at this age are productively curious and seek new knowledge of the outside world. The development of the child’s views and beliefs are primarily influenced by imitation of peers (such as parents), and the child is at a very defenceless mentality against the implantation of religious beliefs. At this stage the child is very egocentric.

Child: Daddy, why did Grandma die?Father: Son, she didn’t die. She’s in heaven at peace with God, watching over us.

Concrete operational stage (7-11):

Egocentricism is supposed to start declining. The child’s problem solving skills start to improve, though there’s still difficulty in formulating abstract concepts, deductive reasoning, and general comprehension.

The implantation of religion maintains egocentricism in the child, thus impedes with this natural developmental process.

Formal operational stage (11+):

The child starts to develop the ability to look at things from a logical perspective. The child gains the ability of deductive reasoning, abstract thinking, and most importantly, empathy. (Look up ethnocultural empathy; it’s relatively easy to identify a religious individual lacking it. See all the people using Pascal’s Wager as an argument to support their religion?)

Note:It is an accepted fact that many people to this day fail to fully reach this stage of cognitive development. What can I say … religion is, enforcing this?

Can you see where this is getting at? Religion impedes with the natural cognitive developmental process.

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Here is an example of a monke- I mean an individual that lacks the element of empathy:

I consider myself a pretty devout Roman Catholic although i'm not perfect. I respect every other religion, but I do believe Catholicism is the true religion (but doesn't everyone else think there's is as well). We'll figure it out through death i suppose though . I respect Atheists viewpoints somewhat since everyone was given free will, but for some reason I don't like them very much. sorry.

Here's a question to the Atheists. Why not have a religion? What happens when you are wrong? lol you might be wishing eternally you would have believed. Its like never gambling because you don't believe you'll win. If you are right (which i don't believe you are) then uh nothing happens i guess? cool. but if you are wrong, ehhh not so good.

Notice how this individual indicated that he respects all other religions, yet completely contradicted that statement afterwards by implying that atheists are better off not taking the risk because: they will either go to hell for not believing in god, or nothing will happen at all. That is implying that the only possible religion is his own religion and he is leaving out all others in the equation, such as the possibility of reincarnation, turning into a ghost, being reborn into a chicken, etc. Through this observation, we can see that this individual is still stuck at the egocentric stage of cognitive development. It’s become a blind-spot in rational reasoning, which is clearly counterproductive.

As demonstrated in the above examples, all over the world there is an ongoing impediment in logical thinking due to the advocacy of religion. It is an impairment of an individual’s normal cognitive functioning, caused by social factors; therefore it is a mental disorder. Also yes, this implies that Pascal himself had a mental disorder too. As I mentioned earlier, it is an accepted fact that some individuals fail to fully reach the formal operational stage, and only reach it in relation to their area of expertise (maths, sports, etc.). This was the case with Pascal, who was a reputable mathematician.

This raises the issue of whether the "good intentions" in parenting is associated with the development of this mental disorder. Similar to how mommy’s goodnight kiss, an expression of love, is one of the main causes of tooth decay in childhood.

Can’t think of anything to say about the topic? How about suggest an effective means of objective communication with the religious, in attempt to amend the suggested lacking areas?

Implantation of religion is like penile circumcision at birth. It’s not a matter of right or wrong, and it does hold its benefits. However circumcision becomes the decision of the parents, and not the child’s. Essentially it is an infringement of the child’s natural endowments and entitlements, which is also why paedophilia is considered immoral. The child is not involved in the decision-making, as it is not capable. It becomes an obstacle to reverse the decision or belief later on in life, thus becomes an infringement of free-will. If religion was not taught to people until adulthood, it would not contradict free-will.

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Things to avoid (incomplete):

Positive feedback:

Do -NOT- ask God if he is real or not. It will only worsen the condition.

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Treatment methods (incomplete):

Look at the other possibilities. Constantly question your beliefs. Is it at least POSSIBLE, that, maybe in fact your religion is result of a few creative minds exploiting the gullibility of human beings centuries ago, whom you never met. Afterwards, is it LIKELY that people in the past generations considered exploiting human gullibility in the case of YOUR religion, as the other religions aside from yours were obviously the result of the same idea. Study the other religions. Open your mind, and think outside the square.

EDIT:

Please ignore the two posts below mine. It is a perfect example of why it needs to be ignored.

Please ignore the religious posters that retaliate to this thread (which may likely overwhelm in percentage), and just imagine them to be little insects flying around. DO NOT RESPOND.

Little biased, is it not? Might as well send us to the "back of the bus."

edit* its people like you who obviously have issues with what people FREELY CHOOSE to believe in. A prime example of why wars over religion exist. You point your finger at the religious believers, whether informal or formal and even have the nerve to say that they (even myself) have mental disorders? And don't even try to say mental disorders aren't a bad thing because "disorder" has no "good" definition. You make me sick.

Please ignore the two posts below mine. It is a perfect example of why it needs to be ignored.

^ Prime example of why you shouldn't be taken seriously, and why your opinions should be kept to yourself. You seem to just want an outlet to spout everything you have to say and see if anyone "agrees" with you, rather than debate the topic with those who disagree Go and make a club if you want to discuss it and feel better amongst your little "friends."

Edit* I also enjoyed how you still used my post as an example (and another's as well) when you have zero experience with and studying ours' and other different religions. You lack the proper knowledge and credibility to even post a thread topic concerning your own "beliefs".

Heck, I could even make an essay long rant on how I think you have a mental disorder and go on to provide scientific speculations based on the fact that you, the minority of this world, do not practice a Relgion. Yet I don't, because I have no desire to attempt to disprove other's religions based on MY OWN OPINIONS and cause a pointless quarrel.

Take your obvious issues that dwell within your psyche and take them elsewhere.

Mangasurfwrote:
edit* its people like you who obviously have issues with what people FREELY CHOOSE to believe in. A prime example of why wars over religion exist. You point your finger at the religious believers, whether informal or formal and even have the nerve to say that they (even myself) have mental disorders? And don't even try to say mental disorders aren't a bad thing because "disorder" has no "good" definition. You make me sick.

Mangasurfwrote:
^ Prime example of why you shouldn't be taken seriously, and why your opinions should be kept to yourself. You seem to just want an outlet to spout everything you have to say and see if anyone "agrees" with you, rather than debate the topic with those who disagree Go and make a club if you want to discuss it and feel better amongst your little "friends."

Like I have stated, this is not a debate. If you honestly want to contribute to the thread, why don't you start with posting on-topic?

Please ignore the two posts below mine. It is a perfect example of why it needs to be ignored.

^ Prime example of why you shouldn't be taken seriously, and why your opinions should be kept to yourself. You seem to just want an outlet to spout everything you have to say and see if anyone "agrees" with you, rather than debate the topic with those who disagree Go and make a club if you want to discuss it and feel better amongst your little "friends."

I agree with you. This person had the potential of being a good verbal sparring partner..but their discussion skills are surely lacking. And then Hellow just results to insults instead of trying to have a discussion like a non-mental disorder person who have developed their mental factors.

Tsk...all too bad. If I was a petty person, I'd say "I'll keep her in my prayers" But instead I'll say I hope she reaches this pinnacle of mental development herself one day.

heIIow One thing to clarify: This is not discussing the 'validity' of any religion. It is already clear that there is -no- point in debating on religion, as it is analogous to the futility of discussing the existence of flying pigs. We already know religion is utter nonsense, and that is the starting point of this discussion. Please ignore the religious posters that retaliate to this thread (which may likely overwhelm in percentage), and just imagine them to be little insects flying around. DO NOT RESPOND.

If you want to show credibility for your argument you shouldn't try to coerce others to ignore opposing opinions on the matter. It makes you seem weak and that you may not truly stand by your own feelings on the matter. Also, as much as I hate religion myself, you should probably try to be a little less cruel in your word use, as even though you explain that you don't feel that mental disorders are bad all around, society still feels differently about it.

From a purely logical standpoint, the OP makes a pretty convincing case, though I think using the term 'Mental illness', in whatever form, is inviting many people to stop reading, and dismiss this entire post as an attack on their beliefs, thus making the chances of them actually considering your point smaller than they were originally

As a rule, I think you're spot on about how a person becoming religious is largely dependent on who they're raised by, who they're raised with, and where they're raised. I was quite fortunate to be brought up where I was; My parents identify themselves as Christian, and I went to church a bit when I was really young, but they were completely happy for me to make up my own mind, and openly encouraged that. After several truly good and just people I knew died young, and when I asked the priest at our local church the question:
"If I lead a good life, and help those around me, but don't believe in god, will I go to hell?"
And he responded with the answer, "Yes.", that sort of clinched it for me.

Bollocks to any deity who is so self obsessed as to deny happiness to the good unless they worship at his feet.

I think many people seek and genuinely gain comfort from practicing religion, and as such I would never really be anti-religion, not really anyway. I do, however, believe in freedom of speech, freedom of your own body, and most of all, freedom of belief, in whatever form that takes. It can't be denied that time and time again, religious leaders, religious politicians and religious door-knockers prove that they can't be trusted to extend to us the same courtesy. The problem lies not in religion, nor with the lack of it, but in humanity's inability as a whole to accept that other people should, by unquestionable right, have all of those things in abundance, and that, dear friends, is the most serious problem that we as a species have always faced.

"I am right, you are wrong, I will make you believe what I believe and govern over you guided by what this book says."

Religious people and non-religious people are both often guilty of that, and if we are ever to have any chance of creating an actual decent society that allows you to worship who or what you want and live how you want, this has to end.

No more wrong or right when it comes to your mind, body or your faith, those things are yours and yours alone.

"I disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." - Voltaire

The blame should not be directed towards intangible foundations, but towards those men and women who wrongfully 'wear' their Religion over-zealously as radicals and extremists do. I won't elaborate with examples because my intention isn't towards pinpointing and accusing certain religions.

Yup.

How very cautious of you. I applaud the flame-retardant nature of your reply. If only all discussion pertaining to religion could be conducted in such a way, why - we may even be able to achieve world peace.

it is not but people who go over board yea they are. Religion is used so that us humans find a meaning of life as many do not want to think that we and then we just die. My parents tried to raise me muslim but I did not become one as I am an atheist. Most religions have this one guy who god talked to like jesus(was also his so called son), moses, Mohamed and so on why would god only talk to them and not everyone else.